Coronavirus: People making a difference in lockdown

Summary

We appreciate this is a challenging time for people as coronavirus continues to spread
But amid all the worrying news, there have been reasons to find hope
BBC News is sharing stories of how people are helping and looking out for each other
BBC Local Radio has launched a campaign called Make A Difference - broadcasting stories highlighting how communities are pulling together
Email england@bbc.co.uk to let us know how you've been making a difference
Updates on Monday 11 May

Live Reporting

Rob England, David Cosgrove, Jennifer Meierhans and Chris Lillington

Arty Avani sells her work for NHS charitiespublished at 15:03 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News
Image source, Avani Bhalla
Avani Bhalla, 16, from London has raised more than £1,700 for hospitals close to her heart by selling her artwork.
She is also donating some of her work to be hung in hospital wards and fire stations to brighten the days of front-line workers.
Image source, Avani Bhalla
Avani will split the money between Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and West Middlesex Hospital.
"GOSH is dear to the hearts of my whole family, as they treated my dad when he was quite poorly during his early years, as well as treating some of my closest friends," she said.
"West Middlesex Hospital is a hospital just as close to my family - all my sisters were born there, and my brother was born there sleeping."
Image source, Avani Bhalla
Supplies for vulnerable delivered by rickshawpublished at 14:50 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Rob England
BBC News
A wheeled volunteer service which normally helps people get out and about is now delivering supplies to vulnerable people in isolation.
Before the pandemic the Bury St Edmunds Rickshaw project used specially-adapted tricycles ridden by volunteers to transport people with limited mobility around the town.
Now, with many users in self-isolation, the volunteers have kept the wheels spinning by working with West Suffolk Council to help deliver food and medical supplies to vulnerable groups.
Image source, West Suffolk Council
Libby Ranzetta, one of the project's founders, said the response of people who had volunteered had been "fantastic" and they had completed 663 deliveries since lockdown began.
Kids' puppet show gets large lockdown followingpublished at 14:42 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Puppeteers in London are inspiring children on to wonky, mini, homemade stages across the UK.
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Triathlete's garden challenge for front-line workerspublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News
Image source, Michael Woolley
Michael Woolley, from Chelmsford, has raised more than £1,500 for NHS charities with a mammoth endurance challenge in his garden.
He completed a 5km (3.1-mile) run, followed by a 90km (56-mile) bike ride on a turbo trainer then a half-marathon - which ended up being a casual 702 laps of his garden.
The 36-year-old did these back to back with no rest on Saturday. Phew!
Image source, Michael Woolley
He said: "I was meant to be doing two triathlons this year that have been cancelled due to Covid-19 and I would like to do my part in raising money for such a great cause and give back to the people who are giving so much.
"The front line are all doing a superb job and deserve all donations, help and assistance they can get."
Cover face on public transport, people advisedpublished at 14:23 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Image source, Reuters
People in England should aim to wear face coverings on public transport and in some shops from Wednesday, the UK government has said.
A document outlining the new lockdown rules suggests masks are worn in enclosed spaces where social distancing with others is not always possible.
It is the first time the UK government has issued the advice, but the Scottish government already recommends masks.
People are also allowed to meet one person from another household outside.
Read more here.
What is a vaccine and how is one made?published at 14:18 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Coronavirus spreads easily and the majority of the world's population is still vulnerable to it.
A vaccine would provide some protection by training people's immune systems to fight the virus.
But how easy is it to create a vaccine and when could we expect one to be ready?
'You are loved' message sewn into hospital scrubspublished at 14:09 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Image source, PA Media
A woman making scrubs for NHS staff has sewn personal messages in some of the 40 garments she has donated.
Jen Legg, from Maltby, North Yorkshire, added the message "You Are Loved" to make front-line workers "feel cared for that little bit".
Recipients at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough include members of the clergy, who need scrubs in black material.
'I comforted mum while she died - via video-call'published at 13:58 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Andrew's mother was dying in hospital under lockdown, so he used technology to spend time with her.
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GP sends care packages to NHS colleaguespublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Rob England
BBC News
Image source, Dr Haider Ali
A GP has been sending care packages to NHS staff who are currently living in temporary accommodation due to the coronavirus crisis.
Dr Haider Ali, originally from Sweden, said he had been in talks with Hotel Football in Manchester and heard front-line staff were staying there.
He said: "I started sourcing donations in between clinics and after work and I was overwhelmed by outpouring of support for my initiative, and putting together care packages with a letter from me expressing my personal thanks for all that our NHS heroes are doing for the country."
So far Mr Ali said he has had had offers from supermarkets, drinks companies and beauty product manufacturers for the care packages, and had delivered more than 400 parcels.
Harriet's garden runs inspired by grandmotherpublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News
Michael Brewer got in touch to tell us about a fundraising challenge his daughter Harriet has taken on, inspired by Captain Tom Moore and her grandmother who is a nurse.
Image source, Michael Brewer
He said: "Our family is on a shielding lockdown in Norfolk so haven't left the house for seven weeks now.
"Our daughter, Harriet, 10, has been been running a mile a day, in laps of our garden, to raise money for NHS Charities Together and vows to do so until lockdown is allowed to go back to school.
"She has run 19 miles so far and raised over £700."
Well done Harriet, your big smile has brightened our day too.
Police thank man who made 200 visors for staffpublished at 13:32 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Liam Barnes
BBC News
A police force has thanked a well-wishing resident who donated 200 reusable face visors he created after an appeal for help.
Paul Mosley, from Warsop, used a 3D printer and worked with other residents to make the protective equipment, which will be used by Nottinghamshire Police.
The force appealed for more visors after emergency service workers in the county were spat at more than 60 times during the pandemic.
PC Anthony Brice, who organised the donations, said he was "amazed" by Mr Mosley's "generosity and genuine care".
Image source, Nottinghamshire Police
Colgate workers share smiles for front-line heroespublished at 13:22 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News
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Football club's fundraiser tops £21,000published at 13:11 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Rob England
BBC News
A football club has joined forces with a hospital charity to raise more than £21,000 during the pandemic.
Birmingham City FC players and staff covered 1,318 miles (surpassing the original target of the 1,083 miles from Lands End to John O'Groats) to raise money for University Hospitals Birmingham.
The club said it wanted to "give something back" to local hospitals affected by the virus.
A charity associated with the hospitals said: "Thanks so much for your amazing support, Blues Family!"
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Effy, 6, plots 1,000km multi-vehicle challengepublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
A six-year-old girl who is aiming to cover 1,000km (621 miles) by cycling, walking or scooting has raised more than £1,300 for the NHS.
Effy, from East Sussex, hopes to average about 10km (6.2 miles) per day during the challenge.
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Gymnast Toby helps keep neighbours movingpublished at 12:47 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News
Eight-year-old gymnast Toby from Uttoxeter normally trains about 14 hours a week.
He has devised his own workout of basic stretches to increase flexibility for his neighbours to keep them flexible and lift their spirits during lockdown.
Image source, Andrea Yorke
Even the rain has not stopped him hosting workouts - Toby had his neighbours joining in from their front rooms using a group messenging app so he could still instruct them.
Well done Toby, top marks.
Kindle kindness campaign for isolated residentspublished at 12:30 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News
Hundreds of isolated residents in Telford & Wrekin are being brought closer to loved ones and entertained thanks to a fundraising campaign.
#KindleKindness has already raised £10,000 to buy 200 Kindles or similar devices for people in care homes across the borough, and the Women's and Children's Centre at the Princess Royal Hospital.
Image source, Andrew Woodall
The devices all come with free access to the council's library app, giving users access to a wide range of reading materials.
They can also be used to play games and puzzles and help people keep in touch with family and friends.
NHS advice on working from homepublished at 12:14 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
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Teenager completes 12-hour swim for NHSpublished at 12:03 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
Rebecca Thorn
BBC News Online
Image source, James North
A teenager swam for more than 12 hours in a pool in her back garden to raise money for the NHS over the bank holiday weekend.
Lowenna North, 13, swims for a club in Launceston, Cornwall, and decided to set herself the challenge after missing training under lockdown.
She attached a tether to her belt to hold her in place, and swam for two hours at a time, completing 12 miles in total.
Lowenna has raised about £500 for the NHS charity with the support of friends and family.
Captain Tom wood carving raises £7,000published at 11:56 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
A chainsaw carver has raised more than £7,000 with a life-sized wooden sculpture of Captain Tom Moore.
Simon Bogg, from Lincolnshire, took 10 days to make the intricate model of the war veteran who raised nearly £33m for the NHS.
Mr Bogg said "a full-size tribute" was the only way to honour the 100-year-old "absolute legend".
Image source, Simon Bogg
The coronavirus funerals 'ringing with applause'published at 11:45 British Summer Time 11 May 2020
How the pandemic has changed the way people pay their respects to friends and loved ones.
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